South Korean market triggers 20-minute halt as tech stocks tumble
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell sharply on heavy tech selling, prompting the exchange to pause trading for 20 minutes.
A steep decline in the KOSPI, driven by a sell-off in semiconductor and other tech shares, led the Korea Exchange to activate its circuit-breaker mechanism. Trading was suspended for 20 minutes starting at 12:38 p.m. after the index dropped more than 8 percent from the prior close. Investors cited doubts over the durability of AI-related demand and hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation data as key factors. This marks the ninth circuit-breaker use this year.
Why it matters
The halt highlights volatility in South Korea’s tech-driven market and the broader impact of AI expectations and US inflation on investors.
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